Detachable bracket assembly for spaced coaxial mounting of dual transducers

ABSTRACT

A device for securing two transducer elements such as two microphones together includes a yoke member having an intermediate recess for receiving a head of a microphone of one of the transducer elements and with means at one end for interengaging with this transducer element. The opposite end includes inwardly directed tab elements or tongues defining stops for positioning the other transducer element or microphone at a spaced location from the head of the first transducer element. In addition this opposite end includes means for securing the second transducer element in a position abutting against the tabs. As assembly of two transducer elements includes two yoke members arranged on respective opposite sides of the transducers to be joined together. The intermediate recesses of the opposite yokes surround opposite portions of the microphone head and the respective ends of the yokes extend outwardly into engagement with respective transducers. The yoke members are advantageously made of a resilient material or include additional spring elements to provide for a biasing connection between them and the associated transducers. In one embodiment the yoke member includes an open window which is engageable over a hook projection on one transducer at one end and the opposite end is provided with openings for receiving a threaded bolt which may be threaded into the other transducer. An alternate arrangement includes a hook-shaped formation on the yoke members which engages in recess on the transducer body.

Elnited States Patent 2,942,830 6/1960 Senay 2,686,029 8/1954 Raymond252,244 10/1948 Switzerland Inventors Appl No Filed Patented AssigneeAkustischi U.Kino-Gerate Gesellschaft m.b.h. Nobilegasse, Vienna,Austria DETACHABLE BRACKET ASSEMBLY FOR SPACED COAXIAL MOUNTING OF DUALPrimary Examiner Kathleen H. Claffy Assistant Examiner-Thomas W. BrownAttorney-McG1ew and Toren ABSTRACT: A device for securing two transducerelements such as two microphones together includes a yoke member havingan intermediate recess for receiving a head of a microphone of one ofthe transducer elements and with means at one end for interengaging withthis transducer element. The opposite end includes inwardly directed tabelements or tongues defining stops for positioning the other transducerelementor microphone at a spaced location from the head of the firsttransducer element. In addition this opposite end includes means forsecuring the second transducer element in a position abutting againstthe tabs.

As assembly of two transducer elements includes two yoke membersarranged on respective opposite sides of the transdu- TRANSDUCERS cersto be joined together. The intermediate recesses of the 6 Claims, 6Drawing 8 opposite yokes surround opposite portions of the microphoneU.S.Cl 179/179 head and the respective ends of the yokes extendoutwardly Int. Cl H04r l/02 into engagement with respective transducers-The y Field of Search 179/179, hers are advantageously made of aresilient material or include 178, 146 121; 248/201, 200, 230, 309 316360 additional spring elements to provide for a biasing connectionbetween them and the associated transducers. In one embodi- ReferencesCited ment the yoke member includes an open window which is en- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS gageable over a hook projection on one transducer at oneend FOREIGN PATENTS and the opposite end is provided with openings forreceiving a threaded bolt which may be threaded into the othertransducer. An alternate arrangement includes a hook-shaped formation onthe yoke members which engages in recess on the transducer body.

na'rncnasin BRACKET ASSEMBLY son srncsn (DAXIAL Mountain or DUALTRANSDUCERS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in generalto apparatus for interconnecting two transducers such as microphoneheads of different characteristics and, in particular, to a new anduseful yoke construction to facilitate easy interconnection of twotransducers and a proper positioning thereof relative to each other.

Sound transmitters having a unilateral directional pattern andcomprising two or more electroacoustic transducers designed asindividual systems are gaining significance in electroacousticengineering because they enable a sharing of the frequency range to betransmitted by a plurality of transducers. This results in an excellentfrequency response and in a virtually perfect independence of thedirectional pattern of the sound transducers from frequency. It has beenrecognized that the physical and mathematical requirements for a desireddirectional pattern can be met much more easily with individualtransducers having a reduced bandwidth than with a singleelectroacoustic transducer which is designed to transmit all frequenciesof the audible range.

For the above reasons, there are no theoretical difficulties opposingthe dimensioning of the individual systems of a sound transmitter whichcomprises a plurality of sound transducers. In practice, however,difficulties in design have been encountered. The most important problemresides in that the transducers must be arranged so thatthey arereliably held together at an exactly defined distance apart and themounting itself must not have any influence on the acoustic propertiesof the transducers.

It has already been suggested to employ a shaped resilient body toconnect together the individual systems of a sound transmitter having atleast two self-contained electroacoustic transducers. The use of suchconnecting elements requires a large space because great thicknesses ofmaterial are needed to provide for the necessary strength, and thereforethe weight is considerably increased. In addition, disadvantages of anacoustic nature are also incurred.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a simple andinexpensive device for securing two sounds transducers together in amanner such that they will be properly oriented one with the other andthe sound characteristics will not be adversely affected.

The device includes a plurality of yoke members each having a centralrecess for accommodating and surrounding a portion of a widenedmicrophone head of one transducer and an end which may be hooked intoengagement with the body of the transducer. The opposite end of each ofthe yoke elements includes a supporting step extending inwardlytherefrom for receiving and positioning a second transducer. Inaddition, means are located adjacent this end for securing the secondtransducer in position overlying the supporting step. The yokes permitsimple interengagement of the first transducer by the hooking of aprojection on the first transducer body into an opening at the end ofthe yoke members, alternatively, the yoke and the transducer body may beprovided with interengaging hooklike elements. The yoke membersadvantageously include resilient portions or separate resilient elementsdisposed between the yokes and the transducers so that the connectionbetween the parts is effected under an outward biasing so that they aretightly oriented in relative positions once the yokes are secured. Theyoke members may advantageously be made of a resilient metal orresilient plastic material or even rubber; The interengagement of theyokes with the two separate transducer elements of microphones may beeasily affected.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device forsecuring together two transducer elements such as microphones in amanner such that they are properly oriented with respect to each otherand with an arrangement which permits easy connection or disassembly andusing elements which will not adversely affect the sound characteristicsof the two transducers after they are joined together.

A further object of the invention is to provide an assembly oftransducers with a plurality of yoke members which include anintermediate recess and which are aligned to receive and bear against aportion of the periphery of a microphone head and to position this headin respect to a second transducer which is connected at one end of theyoke members.

A further object of the invention is to provide a securing device forsecuring two transducer elements together and to an assembly oftransducer elements together and to an assembly of transducer elementswhich is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical tomanufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1a is a rear elevational view of a yoke member constructed inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. lb is a section taken along line lb, lb of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the yoke member;

FIG. 2 is a partial elevational and partial sectional view of amicrophone housing;

FIG. 3 is a partial elevational and partial sectional view of anassembly of two transducers in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a partial elevational and partial sectional view of analternate embodiment of microphone housing and yoke member.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to thedrawings in particular, the invention embodied therein in FIG. la, 1b,and 1c comprises a device for connecting two transducer elementstogether which comprises at least two securing elements each being of aconfiguration of a yoke member or bracket 1. The yoke member 1 in theembodiment illustrated is curved about its longitudinal axis in order topermit it to be used with a cylindrical microphone head and housing.

In accordance with the invention each yoke I is provided with an offsetintermediate portion or recess 7 of the configuration to bear around aportion of the outer periphery of a microphone head of a transducer. Inaddition the yoke 1 includes a first end or lower end portion 3 having awindow 2 to permit interengagement with a hooklike element 9 of amicrophone housing 8. An upper end or second end portion 4 includes anopening 6 to permit insertion of a bolt member for threading it into ahousing 22 of another transducer or microphone assembly. In addition,this end includes tabs or stops 5 which extend inwardly at a preciselocation from the end of the hook to define positioning stops andsupports for a second transducer which is to be connected into theassembly.

As indicated in FIG. 3 an assembly of two transducers includes a basetransducer housing 8 having a microphone head 20 at its upper end andincluding hooklike projections or book formations 9 which engage throughthe openings 2 and against the exterior wall of each yoke element 1, lwhich are positioned around respective opposite sides of the microphonehead 20. A second transducer 22 is inserted between the yokes l, l toabut against the supports 5 and it is oriented so that taped holdstherein align with the opening 6 of the yoke I. A threaded securing bolt24 is then inserted through the opening 6 and threaded into the bores ofthe second transducer or microphone 22. The first transducer isadvantageously a bass system and the second transducer 22 is preferablya treble system. i

The yoke members are advantageously made of a resilient material and arespaced such that when they are firmly connected in the manner indicatedin FIG. 3 the two systems are held under stress in the yokes l, l. insome instances it is desirable to increase this stress by using separatespring elements (not shown) which are interposed between the yokeelements and the associated transducer systems.

Instead of the hooklike extension 9 which are formed on the firsttransducer housing 8 a housing 8' (H6. 4) may advantageously include arecess H to permit engagement of a hooklike element 10 of a yoke member1' therewith.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the inventiveprinciples, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

We claim:

ll. A sound transducer assembly comprising a first transducer having afirst housing portion and a widened microphone head portion adjacent oneend of said first housing portion, a second transducer having a' secondhousing arranged with its axis in alignment of said first housing, aplurality of brackets equally spaced around the periphery of said firstand second transducer housings, said brackets each including an offsetportion defining a recess complementary to the configuration of themicrophone head and engaging a portion of the periphery thereof, eachbracket also including an inwardly extending tab at a spaced locationfrom said microphone head defining a stop abutting against the end ofsaid second transducer housing and positioning said second transducerhousing at a spaced location from said first transducer housing, andsecuring means adjacent each end of said bracket for securing saidbracket to the associated transducer housing.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means adjacent eachend of said bracket for securing said yoke to an associated transducerhousing includes at one end an opening through said bracket, and athreaded bolt member extending through said opening and threaded intosaid second transducer housing.

3. A device according to claim 2, including a second opening adjacentthe opposite end of said bracket, said first transducer housing having ahooklike projection extending through the said second opening of saidbracket and engaged over the exterior of said first transducer housing.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said means adjacent eachend of said bracket includes an inturned hook formation adjacent one endengaged with a hook-shaped recess formed in said first housing.

5. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said securing meansincludes an opening at the end adjacent the second transducer housing, athreaded bolt extending through said opening and threaded into secondtransducer housing, a second opening defined at the end of said bracketadjacent said first transducer, said first transducer having a hookshaped projection including a portion extending through the secondopening, and a portion overlying the exterior of said bracket member.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein there are two bracketsarranged at respective opposite sides of said first and secondtransducer housings and said microphone head.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3566o47Dated 3, 1971 Inventor) Bernhard Weingartner et a1 It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that: said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [72] line 2 "Mayerberg" should rea Vienna [73] line 1"Akustischi" should read Akustische Signed and sealed this 18th day ofApril 1972 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Pate FORM PC4050 (10-69)

1. A sound transducer assembly comprising a first transducer having afirst housing portion and a widened microphone head portion adjacent oneend of said first housing portion, a second transducer having a secondhousing arranged with its axis in alignment of said first housing, aplurality of brackets equally spaced around the periphery of said firstand second transducer housings, said brackets each including an offsetportion defining a recess complementary to the configuration of themicrophone head and engaging a portion of the periphery thereof, eachbracket also including an inwardly extending tab at a spaced locationfrom said microphone head defining a stop abutting against the end ofsaid second transducer housing and positioning said second transducerhousing at a spaced location from said first transducer housing, andsecuring means adjacent each end of said bracket for securing saidbracket to the associated transducer housing.
 2. An assembly accordingto claim 1, wherein said means adjaceNt each end of said bracket forsecuring said yoke to an associated transducer housing includes at oneend an opening through said bracket, and a threaded bolt memberextending through said opening and threaded into said second transducerhousing.
 3. A device according to claim 2, including a second openingadjacent the opposite end of said bracket, said first transducer housinghaving a hooklike projection extending through the said second openingof said bracket and engaged over the exterior of said first transducerhousing.
 4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said meansadjacent each end of said bracket includes an inturned hook formationadjacent one end engaged with a hook-shaped recess formed in said firsthousing.
 5. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said securingmeans includes an opening at the end adjacent the second transducerhousing, a threaded bolt extending through said opening and threadedinto second transducer housing, a second opening defined at the end ofsaid bracket adjacent said first transducer, said first transducerhaving a hook-shaped projection including a portion extending throughthe second opening, and a portion overlying the exterior of said bracketmember.
 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein there are two bracketsarranged at respective opposite sides of said first and secondtransducer housings and said microphone head.